Hi there! I’m Nicole, but you might know me better as Backyard Cats of Bed-Stuy.

Today I’d like to tell you a little bit about a handsome black panther, aptly named T’Challa. T’Challa was given his name by Hannah and Shivana, two incredibly kind and caring fellow cat-loving Brooklynites who found a gentle boy on the street in Flatbush and knew in their hearts he didn’t belong there. A couple of degrees of separation later they found me, and we immediately set to work getting T’Challa to a vet for all the basics and finding him a more permanent foster home.

T’Challa and I were incredibly lucky that Hannah and Shivana were willing to give him a place to crash for a couple of weeks while all of that could happen. We were even luckier to meet Scott, who so graciously welcomed T’Challa as his new roommate. As it turns out, rent in Brooklyn is out of control, so Scott allows T’Challa to cover his portion with snuggles and meows. (Maybe the best deal in all of NYC!)

I’ve had the immensely rare fortune to not face many rescue bills I felt *too* daunted by, but truthfully since T’Challa is a senior guy, and undeniably an abandoned pet, it’s not too surprising that his prognosis isn’t straightforward. He will undoubtedly need a dental cleaning/extraction, but before he can even be scheduled for that, he’ll need to see a cardiologist for a low-grade heart murmur. T’Challa was also very thin upon intake, so he’s on the best-of-the-best food in order to fatten him up without causing his mouth too much pain. I normally shy away from asking for monetary donations, because there are so many rescuers out there that do so much more on far less, but T’Challa’s vet visits alone have already cost me upwards of $500. His cardiologist visit will be around $800, and his dental another $1000 or so. We may still have a long road ahead of us to get this guy in tip-top shape again, but I’m fully committed to helping this sweet old man live his best life. Anything you can spare will go straight to T’Challa’s care.

Thank you my friends